Practicing a defiant joy is an active engagement of the mind in which we choose to place our trust in the character and competence of God. No matter what we’re facing, we remain suspicious that God is up to something good. Because when we look for the goodness of God, we will find him.

One thing that makes us a hearer of God’s Word and not a doer is good intentions. We might be world class when it comes to thinking about doing something kind or compassionate for others, but when it comes to actually doing them...! The longer we wait to do what the Word of God prompts us to do, ...

Three practical actions to become mercy people:
1. Ruthlessly eliminate what makes you more judgmental.
2. Surround yourself with mercy people.
3. Prayerfully ask God, "Who is your favorite for me today?"

It’s really hard to fulfill Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself if you don’t even like yourself. If you struggle with your internal dialogue,
healing and freedom are possible.

A common phrase in business is ‘The customer is always right.’ But if
left unchecked, we can become ‘customers’ who are entitled, impatient,
and unkind—sharing some of the same attitudes of the wealthy James describes, such as entitlement, impatience, or unkindness.